Introducing a Positive Communication Ontology to Advance Intercultural Theorizing

Intercultural communication theories are often limited by deficit-framing that foregrounds conflict, crisis, and distress. This article introduces a positive communication ontology to partially redress this limitation. A positive communication ontology is an asset-based approach foregrounding positive communication and broadening intercultural theorizing to include multiple ways of knowing and being that promote intercultural flourishing. After offering a brief historical backdrop, this article defines a positive communication ontology and explores implications for intercultural communication training. Finally, this article uses Hecht’s communication theory of identity and Kim’s integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation to demonstrate how this approach can extend classical and current theorizing.